Samsung Life Insurance (032830.KS) said on the 13th that it will launch a revised version of its Samsung Golden Whole Life Insurance policy on the 14th, moving up the date when policyholders can withdraw premiums and adding cancer coverage. The insurer is also introducing a simplified-underwriting version that people with pre-existing conditions can buy.
Samsung Golden Whole Life Insurance, first launched in September last year, provides lifetime death benefits while allowing policyholders to withdraw premiums they have paid for uses such as a wedding, retirement or inheritance. Even after withdrawals, the policy maintains a death benefit at or above the original coverage amount.
The revision focuses on earlier access to funds and easier eligibility. Policyholders can now withdraw premiums two years sooner than before. Under the seven-year payment plan, withdrawals previously required 12 years from the contract date but are now available after 10 years. For the 10-year payment plan, the waiting period falls to 12 years from 14.
The company is also launching Samsung Simplified Golden Whole Life Insurance for customers with health conditions. Applicants qualify if they do not fall under any of three simplified disclosure items, allowing people who previously could not obtain conventional whole life coverage for health reasons to secure a death benefit.
A new cancer coverage option strengthens protection for policyholders diagnosed with cancer. Those diagnosed during the premium payment period are exempt from further premiums. In addition, a cancer diagnosis bonus service allows withdrawals of up to 100% beyond the basic withdrawal amount, which equals 100% of premiums paid. That means policyholders can withdraw up to 20% of premiums paid each year for 10 years, for a total of up to 200%. For the simplified-underwriting product, the additional withdrawal limit is capped at 50%, allowing total withdrawals of up to 150% over 10 years including the basic amount.
For example, a policyholder on the seven-year payment plan who buys the cancer coverage option and is diagnosed with cancer in the fifth year of the contract would not have to pay premiums for the remaining two years. From the 10th year of the contract, that policyholder could withdraw 20% of premiums paid annually for 10 years, combining the 10% basic withdrawal amount with an additional 10% tied to the cancer diagnosis.
Samsung Golden Whole Life Insurance is available to buyers aged 15 to 65, with premium payment periods of seven, 10, 15 or 20 years.
"With this revision, we lowered the eligibility threshold, moved up the point at which customers can use their funds and added cancer coverage, so we can support customers' lifetime financial planning more broadly," a Samsung Life Insurance official said.
